Cow Cuddling Is The New Thing That Relieves Anxiety and Stress
ISLES OF SCILLY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Cows graze at Troytown Farm, Britain's most south-westerly farm on St Agnes on the Isles of Scilly on February 20, 2017 in Cornwall, England. Many of the businesses on the islands are now readying themselves for the coming tourist season which normally starts seeing larger and larger increases in visitor numbers starting in April, before peaking in August and early September, before dwindling again in late October early November. The temperate Isles of Scilly, with a population of just over 2200, are an archipelago of five main inhabited islands set amongst hundreds of smaller islands and rocky islets, located approximately 28 miles off the south western tip of the Cornish peninsula, making it the most westerly in England and the southernmost location of the United Kingdom. Originally, to sustain the islanders the Scillonian economy relied heavily on trade with the mainland, with industries such as seaweed harvesting, pilotage, smuggling, fishing, shipbuilding and more latterly, flower farming. However, more recently tourism has become the major part of the local economy, estimated to account for 85% of the islands' income and accounting for approximately 63% of all employment. Arrival to the cluster of low-lying islands is currently only by small plane from Exeter, Newquay or Land's End, or and only during the summer, by the passenger ferry Scillonian lll from Penzance. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
In Upstate New York, there is a farm called Mountain Horse Farm where you can pay to cuddle with cows! In fact, cow cuddling has been proven to help relieve stress and anxiety.
Specifically, according to NPR, hugging cows increase oxytocin levels because of social bonding. Since cows are big, warm, and have a slower heartbeat than humans, we can bond with them just by being in their presence. But hugs work even better!
The owner of the farm, Suzanne Vullers, is originally from the Netherlands, where cow cuddling is called “koe knuffelen”. She is very passionate about their animals and encourages choice and respect when you book a cuddling session. The cows are not bred there, and they aren’t used for any kind of products like beef or milk. These cows up in upstate New York are literally living their best lives on the farm and they are ready to cuddle YOU!
Mountain Horse Farm also provides lodging and they require that you stay with them in order to cuddle and connect with the animals.
A 60-minute session for up to 2 people is $75. A 60-minute session for up to 4 people is $125. You have to be at least 16 years old to participate so, unfortunately, no kids.
To sign up or read more, visit the Mountain Horse Farm website.
Source: NPR and Mountain Horse Farm
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